Strong trade for prized hoggs at Gisburn

Prices for quality hoggs with lambs at foot excelled at Gisburn Auction Marts sale at the weekend.

Well know and respected Mule enthusiast, Ben Kidd, Wildboarclough, Macclesfield had the difficult task of judging the best pen of five Mules hoggs with lambs at foot.

As he walked out into the sheep yard he said “I cannot believe my eyes -such a fantastic run of hoggs to choose from!” He awarded his first prize rosette and £100 prize money to Arthur Maude, Bradley, Skipton for a pen of powerful and perfectly presented hoggs with well grown Texel lambs which sold for £230, Mr Maude other lots included the third prize winners at £222 and two more pens at £212 & £210. Second prize went to a very smart pen from Stuart Forshaw, Longridge, Preston with superb conformation lambs at foot, the same vendor also picked up the fifth prize rosette which went onto to sell for £215.

Father and son, Raymond and Robert Johnson, Felliscliffe, Harrogate had a great run of 50 hoggs. Topping their trade at £230 was the fourth prize winners, his lots sold for £230 levelling at £212. The frantic bidding for quality continued and resulted in Mule hoggs with single lambs averaging £209.

Meanwhile, Paul Read, Knutsford deliberated over the Texel section and awarded as follows: First prize David Pinder, Newton in Bowland for his pen of hoggs with smart Beltex lambs at foot, they later sold for £200, second prize went John Stapleton, Skipton for a pen of very upstanding hoggs, which sold at £220. Third and fifth prize awards went to Simon Bennett, Silsden who achieved £230 twice, Fourth prize went to Richard Stockdale, Burnsall, Skipton selling at £208. Overall, powerful hoggs sold in the £180 to £230 price bracket, whilst smaller hoggs with singles achieved £150-£170.

However, despite missing out in the prize Anthony Thompson, Foulridge topped this section with a pen of five Beltex hoggs and singles at £258.

Commenting on the hogg trade, auctioneer, Rachel Capstick said “All in a very successful day for youth and quality or to put it another way-well presented bonny young females – much in demand!”

Quality ewes were still keenly sort Jonathan Frankland, Rathmell, Settle and Bill Farnell, Barrowford kicked off proceedings with pure Texel lambs at £280 and £270 respectively. Jimmy and Janet Newhouse, Giggleswick, Settle also sold Texels with twins up to £250 and with singles to £175. Anthony Thompson, Foulridge shapely outfits were once again in demand, with shearlings plus twins to £232.

PHOTO

David Pinder with first prize Texel hoggs with lambs at foot